Pulpit Reflections: Even turkey buzzards can preach

I went to Sidney Saturday morning to meet with my Spiritual Directors cohort and to sit for something we call reflective practices. On my drive, I listened to Christian music and pondered the message of the songs in relation to my spiritual walk in life. I arrived at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church about 20 minutes ahead of the others. As I sat in the parking lot, I noticed there were 20 or more turkey buzzards lined up across the peak of the church’s roof. I rolled down my window to get a better look and to take some pictures. 

As I sat there watching, three more birds (which to me represented the Trinity) came soaring in and landed on top of the concrete cross that was centered atop the roof. One bird sitting on the peak of the roof lifted one wing only as if purposely pointing to the cross. Pretty soon a second bird and then a third lifted only one wing and sat there pointing to the cross. It was as if to say, ‘keep your eyes on Jesus and on the Cross.’ The rest of the birds had their heads bowed down and looked to be praying. 

 Suddenly, the bird that had perched on top of the cross made a final statement. 

He stood up and stretched out both wings and just stood there! I immediately thought: ‘Our Lord Jesus did that for you and me. He stretched out his arms and hung on a cross to take away our sins. God gave us his only begotten son to die for us. Oh how He loves you and me!’ All this was played out in the course of about 15 minutes for my viewing pleasure only. 

 As I watched them take to the sky, I was given one more insight. Turkey buzzards are birds that soar almost effortlessly on the currents of the wind. They don’t flap their wings much or work very hard at flying. They trust the currents to lift them upward. The verse from Isaiah 40:31 came to me: “But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; (or turkey buzzards) they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not grow weak.” Good News Bible. 

I thought about my life and how I do God’s work best when I trust the Holy Spirit to guide me, to lift me up and to help me soar above life’s difficulties. In the Bible, wind and breath of God are both analogies that describe the Holy Spirit. Are you like those turkey buzzards? Do your life and your actions and the words of your mouth turn people towards God or away from God?

 I invite you to be like the turkey buzzards that soar to new heights using the currents of the Holy Spirit. 

Anything is possible with God. 

He can even use something like an ugly and seemingly useless bird to preach!